So Cal - First Desert Venture

SMB123 · 09-21-2018, 02:52 PM

Hi all, we've done a lot of national park camping and other more civilized areas, but now with the Sportsmobile I'd like to do some fall and winter desert camping. I'm thinking along the lines of Anza Borrego, Mojave, Joshua Tree.

I'd like suggestions on where 4x4 not required, cell phone accessible for emergencies, and not too far off the road (a couple miles or so but not 20).

I don't want people to publish their secret spots or anything but if you have pointers on vicinities that might be worth checking out - would love to hear it. Any web site suggestions welcome as well.

Thanks!

mikracer · 09-21-2018, 03:46 PM

I think member "Redoval" hits up those areas quite a bit. If he doesn't post on here, send him a message to see if he'll share some spots with you. He's also 2wd, although his 2wd is pretty well equipped.

BenJJ · 09-21-2018, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMB123

Hi all, we've done a lot of national park camping and other more civilized areas, but now with the Sportsmobile I'd like to do some fall and winter desert camping. I'm thinking along the lines of Anza Borrego, Mojave, Joshua Tree.

I'd like suggestions on where 4x4 not required, cell phone accessible for emergencies, and not too far off the road (a couple miles or so but not 20).

I don't want people to publish their secret spots or anything but if you have pointers on vicinities that might be worth checking out - would love to hear it. Any web site suggestions welcome as well.

Thanks!

The Mojave National Preserve is awesome and there is tons of 2wd accessible stuff there. My van is 2wd with about a 2" lift and we were able to explore around kessler peak, kelso dunes, the lava tubes, and hole in the wall campground.

For some really tame off-roading you could go to blair valley which is pretty close to anza borrego. Lots of short little hikes to do in the area.

You could also go up to Big Bear and stay at some yellow post sites on the north side of the lake. Tons of 2wd accesible stuff up there. My last trip we did the Crab flats trail to get out there which was pretty fun but not too challenging somewhere around 15mi off-road. If that is too much, you can always just go out of fawnskin.

I haven't explored anza borrego or joshua tree in the van yet, so no recommendations there.

**daveb** · 09-21-2018, 06:00 PM

As mentioned above, the Mojave Road which is more of a trail is a very unique run. Parts are 4x4 but it intersects with so many automobile friendly roads that you can find some really neat spots to camp at and/or explore. Hard to beat Death Valley as well, although the park service has restricted some of the spots I used to camp at.

Greggd · 09-27-2018, 07:58 PM

Dave is correct about much of the original trail being altered or closed but you can still negotiate a lot of the original and is wonderful traveling from now until April , keep an eye on the weather though , I have witnessed Flash Floods on several occasions !

peter-in-san-diego · 10-01-2018, 01:06 AM

Hi there, I have a couple trips to Anza Borrego desert state Park lined up for the next couple weeks. PM me and we can meet up somewhere. Cheers, Peter

SMB123 · 10-01-2018, 04:45 PM

Awesome - thanks everyone. Peter, thanks for the offer. I will wait a few weeks to let it cool down more but will keep that in mind.

peter-in-san-diego · 10-08-2018, 08:24 PM

For Borrego Springs they forecasted 88F for Saturday.

TomsBeast · 10-18-2018, 06:11 PM

I recommend a little reading material before heading out, and good maps. GPS is ok int he desert, but only as a companion to paper maps. Phone GPS is about useless out there.

here's a good book of maps and trails, but their are many more
https://www.amazon.com/California-De.../dp/0899974139